- Introduction
1.1 The Revenue Authority takes privacy, and the security of personal data, very seriously, and we are committed to ensuring that the privacy and personal data of the users of our Service is safeguarded in the best way possible.
1.2 This Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your data when You use the Service and tells You about Your privacy rights and how the law protects You. We use Your data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, You agree to the collection and use of data by this Policy.
1.3 The Service to which this Policy relates is operated by the Revenue Authority, a body Corporate established pursuant to section 9 of the Revenue Authority Act, Cap 79:04 of the Laws of Guyana, with registered address at Lots 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown, Guyana. Our principal contact for data protection purposes is the Officer in The Revenue Authority Tax Advisory Unit, who may be contacted on 592 2276060 ext. 8000.
1.4 When we collect, use and process personal data we are subject to the provisions of the Revenue Authority Act, Cap 79:04, the Income Tax Act, Cap 81:01 and the Data Protection Act, 2023, of the Laws of Guyana.
1.5 If you have any questions about the use to which we put your data, please contact the Officer in The Revenue Authority Tax Advisory Unit, whose details are set out in paragraph 1.3 above.
2. Interpretation
2.1 In this Policy, please note the use of the following terms:
- Account means a unique account created by registration for You to access the Padna Mobile Application or parts of the Padna Mobile Application Service.
- Application refers to Padna Mobile Application or parts of the Padna Mobile Application Service, the software application provided by the Guyana Revenue Authority.
- Company refers to the Revenue Authority (GRA) of 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown Guyana.
- Country refers to Guyana.
- Device means any device that can access the Padna Mobile Application or parts of the Padna Mobile Application Service such as a computer, a cellphone or a digital tablet.
- Personal Data is any information that relates to an identified or identifiable person.
- Service refers to the Padna Mobile Application, Padna Mobile Application Service or parts of the Padna Mobile Application Service.
- Service Provider/Data Processor means any natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body who processes the data on behalf of the GRA. It refers to third-party companies or individuals employed by the GRA to facilitate the Service, to provide the Service on behalf of the GRA, to perform services related to the Service or to assist the GRA in analyzing how the Service is used.
- Usage Data refers to data collected automatically, either generated by the use of the Service or from the Service infrastructure itself (for example, the duration of usage).
- You or Your means the individual accessing or using the Service, or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Service, as applicable.
- We, Us or Our refers to the Revenue Authority and its agents.
3. Personal Data
3.1 Personal data is collected about you whenever you use our Service.
3.2 Personal data is collected directly when you use our service.
3.3 While using Our Service, We may ask You to provide Us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify You. This may include, but is not limited to:
3.3.1 Email address
3.3.2 First name and last name
3.3.3 Date of birth
3.3.4 Phone number
3.3.5 Tax identification number (TIN)
3.3.6 National identification number
3.3.7 Driver’s licence number
3.3.8 Usage data
3.4 In general terms, we may use this personal data for the following purposes:
3.4.1 To provide and maintain our Service, including monitoring the usage of our Service.
3.4.2 To manage Your Account registration as a user of the Service. The Personal Data You provide can give You access to different functionalities of the Service that are available to You as a registered user.
3.4.3 To contact You by email, telephone calls, SMS, or other equivalent forms of electronic communication, such as a mobile application’s push notifications regarding updates or informative communications related to the functionalities, and services, including the security updates, when necessary or reasonable for their implementation.
3.4.4 To provide You with updates and general information about other services, events or documents which we offer that are similar to those that you have already subscribed to or enquired about unless You have opted not to receive such information.
3.4.5 To manage Your requests to Us.
3.5 Please note that it is important that the personal data we hold about you is accurate and current. Please keep us informed if your personal details change during your relationship with us.
3.6 Please note that this service is not intended for use by any one under the age of fifteen. Any personal data knowingly collected from anyone between the ages of fifteen to eighteen is done with the consent or authorisation of the parent or guardian of the child.
3.7 If we become aware that we have collected personal data from anyone under the age of 15 without verification of parental consent, we shall take steps to remove that information from our services.
4. Usage Data
4.1 Usage Data is collected automatically when using the Service and may include information such as Your device’s internet protocol address (e.g. IP address), device information, the interfaces of our Service that You access, the time and date of Your access, the duration of access, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data.
4.2 When You access the Service by or through a mobile device, We may collect certain information automatically, including, but not limited to, the type unique ID, the IP address, operating system, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data of Your mobile device.
We may also collect information that Your device sends whenever You access the Service by or through a mobile device.
4.3 In order to provide features of the Padna Mobile Application, We may collect, with Your prior permission:
4.3.1. Pictures and other information from your device’s camera and photo library.
4.4 This information may be used to provide features of Our Service and to improve and customize Our Service. The information may be uploaded to the GRA’s servers or it may be simply stored on Your device. You can enable or disable access to this information at any time, through Your Device settings.
5. The purposes for which your information is used.
5.1 Data protection law requires that we only use your personal data for the purposes for which it was acquired or where we have a proper reason for doing it .The reasons may include the following:
5.1.1 Where you have given consent to the use of your personal data for one or more specific purpose.
5.1.2 Where the use is necessary for the performance of a contract to which you are a party or in order to take steps at your request prior to entering into the contract.
5.1.3 Where the use is necessary for the compliance with a legal obligation that we are subject to.
5.1.4 Where the use is necessary in order to protect your vital interests or those of another person.
5.1.5 Where the use is necessary for the administration of justice, the exercise of any functions of Parliament or any functions conferred by law.
5.1.6 Where the use is necessary for the purpose of our legitimate interests or those of a third party, except where those interests are overridden by your interests or fundamental rights and freedoms which require protection of personal data, in particular where you or the relevant person is a child.
5.2 The reasons set out above represent the general position as to the purposes for which personal data may be used. The specific position in relation to your personal data, however, is that we may use it for the following purposes:
5.2.1 Verification of data to securely confirm identity and validate previously submitted data.
5.2.2 Filing of tax returns through a mobile channel.
5.2.3 Providing notices or updates to taxpayers about upcoming deadlines, events or obligations.
6. Contacting you
6.1 In addition to the general matters dealt with in paragraph 5.2 above, we may also need to send you updates concerning our services and about relevant developments in relation to you, our services or other related matters which might concern you, or be of interest to you. This may be by post, telephone, email or text and may include information about the services we offer and information relating to the changes in those services. Be assured that we treat your personal data with the utmost respect and will never share it with others for marketing or promotional purposes.
7. Sharing your data with others
7.1 Notwithstanding the fact that we will not share your personal data for marketing purposes, it may be necessary for us to share your personal data when required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by Public Authorities, in keeping with the provisions of the Income Tax Act, Cap 81:01.
8. Retention of Your Personal Data
8.1 Your personal data will be kept secure at all times.
8.2 Personal data will be retained only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Policy.
8.3 Where your personal data is retained after we have finished providing our service to you, or where our relationship with you has ended in any other way, this will generally be for one of the following reasons:
8.3.1 so that we can respond to any questions, complaints or claims made by you or on your behalf;
8.3.2 so that we are able to demonstrate that your matter was dealt with adequately and that you were treated fairly; or
8.3.3 in order to comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
8.4 Usage Data will be retained for internal analysis purposes. Usage Data is generally retained for a shorter period of time, except when this data is used to strengthen the security or to improve the functionality of Our Service or operations, or We are legally obligated to retain this data for longer time periods.
9. Deletion of Personal Data
9.1 Personal data may be deleted by you while using our service. You may update, amend or delete your information at any time while using our service.
10. Your rights in relation to your data
10.1 Data protection legislation gives you, the data subject, various rights in relation to your personal data that we hold and process. These rights are exercisable without charge, and we are subject to specific time limits in terms of how quickly we must respond to you. Those rights are set out in sections 11-22 of the Data Protection Act, 2023.
10.2 In the event that you wish to exercise any of the rights provided for in the Data Protection Act you may do so by:
10.2.1 contacting us using any medium you wish, including in writing, by telephone, by text, electronically, or using such social media as we employ for communication purposes; or
10.2.2 through a third-party whom you have legally authorised for this purpose.
11. Keeping your data secure
11.1 In order to ensure that your personal data is kept secure, and to prevent there being any breach of confidentiality, we have put in place security measures which are intended to prevent your personal data from being accidentally lost or used, or accessed unlawfully. Access to your personal data is restricted to those with a need to access it, and regard will be had to the need for confidentiality when that personal data is processed.
11.2 In the event that there is a suspected data security breach you will be notified.
12. Making a Complaint
12.1 If you have any queries as to the acquisition, use, storage or disposal of any personal data relating to you, you can contact us:
12.1.1 By email: padna@gra.gov.gy
12.1.2 By visiting this page on our website: https://www.gra.gov.gy/
12.1.3 By phone number: 592 227 6060 ext 8000
13. This Policy
13.1 This privacy policy was published on November 1, 2024 and last updated on November 1, 2024.
13.2 This Policy may be updated from time to time. You will be informed of any changes to the Policy on this page.
13.3 You will be informed via email and/or a prominent notice on Our Service, prior the changes to this Policy becoming effective.
13.4 You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.
